At 5 p.m., the girls headed to the kitchen to cook dinner while the boys relaxed in front of the TV. DK and Minghao peeked in curiously, and the girls turned around, catching them.
"What are you two doing here?" Xuanye asked with raised brows.
DK chuckled as he nudged Nian, and Minghao replied, "We came to see if you needed help."
The girls exchanged a knowing look and shook their heads.
"You can help by taking the bowls and telling the others to freshen up," Nian said.
DK grinned and grabbed the bowls. "Boys! The girls cooked—time to freshen up! Follow us!"
Like loyal soldiers heading to camp, the boys lined up and marched off. The girls laughed, hearing their dramatic footsteps echo down the hall.
By 6:30 p.m., everyone had gathered and dinner was served. As they ate, Jeonghan tucked his hair behind his ear and said, "Girls, we really missed your cooking."
Mingyu nodded. "We were counting the days till we got to eat like this again."
Nian raised an eyebrow. "You said you reached two days ago. Why did DK delete the message? What did it say?"
Mingyu laughed, mid-bite. "Ah, that… DK tried to message you after we landed. But when we told him it was a surprise, Joshua grabbed his phone and deleted it."
The girls turned toward Joshua in disbelief. He gave them an awkward grin. "What could we do? DK was sulking the whole time because he couldn't text you."
DK blushed while Boo added, "We really wanted to meet you that night, but a packed schedule came up. We couldn't escape."
Xuanye chuckled. "Still, we got to interview you instead. Fate has its ways."
Everyone laughed, the room filled with warmth.
By 9 p.m., most of the boys had gone to sleep, but DK and Minghao were still wide awake. As the girls finished washing dishes, they saw the two boys waiting by the kitchen door like loyal puppies.
"You two aren't asleep yet?" Xuanye asked, amused. "You must be tired."
They both shook their heads.
Nian sighed and said, "Loudie, come with me—I need to talk to you."
DK immediately lit up and followed her outside. Minghao and Xuanye giggled, watching him.
"Come here," Minghao said softly, patting the sofa beside him.
Xuanye sat down with a smile. Under the soft light, Minghao's eyes sparkled as he leaned in.
"Ye, did you miss me?"
"Of course I did. What kind of question is that?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't know what else to say…"
Xuanye burst into laughter. "Even if you don't know what to say, just talk. I'll listen."
Minghao smiled, then gently slid down and rested his head on her lap. He took her hand and hugged it softly.
"We promised, remember?" he said, looking up at her. "That we'd go on a date after reuniting."
"I remember. When should we go?"
"Anytime you say. I'm always free for you."
Xuanye thought for a second. "Then let's go tomorrow—we have two days off."
Minghao's eyes twinkled. "What do you want to do?"
She smirked. "I've got a few things in mind. But first, what do you want to do?"
"You know I don't like going out much... Do you mind?"
Xuanye leaned back and laughed. "Hao, I told you—I'll keep you company wherever you are."
He smiled, touched. "Then... what should we do?"
She whispered with a grin, "I'll tell you tomorrow, Flutterhao. Just relax for now."
Minghao grinned and closed his eyes as she gently kissed his forehead. He playfully pinched her cheek, and she pinched his nose in return.
—
Outside, Nian sat on the steps, gazing at the moon. DK sat beside her.
"Nian, why are we out here? It's cold."
She smiled. "Those two won't talk if we stay inside. We're giving them space."
DK blinked. "You're right. Minghao barely speaks without a push."
Nian teased, "And you? You can't keep quiet for two seconds."
DK gave her a bombastic side-eye. "Hey~ I'm being romantic here."
Nian laughed. "Okay, okay~ I was kidding!"
He grinned and hugged her tightly. "It's cold. Let me warm up with you."
Nian smirked. Just say you want to hug me, Loudie. You don't even know how to lie…
DK asked, "Are you free tomorrow?"
"Yes. Two days off. Why?"
He looked at her with hopeful eyes. "Can we go on a date?"
Nian smiled. "Where to?"
"A normal couple date. You know, outside?"
She shook her head. "Loudie~ if people recognize you, there'll be a crowd."
DK dramatically looked at the moon. "Moon~ what shall I do with her? She always worries."
Nian laughed and gently slapped his arm.
"Then where do you want to go?" he asked.
"To your place," she said.
DK blinked. "But my parents aren't home. They're staying with relatives."
She rolled her eyes. "I mean your private house. Don't mock me! If your parents knew about me, would they accept it?"
"Of course," DK said proudly. "My whole family is like me—happy viruses."
She chuckled. "Still, I get nervous. A mother always worries if her son's girlfriend is good enough."
DK smiled and pampered her head. "I love my family. But I love you too, Nian."
She gasped, flustered.
"What are we going to do at my house?" he asked.
"Let's camp there," she said playfully.
"Camp? At my house?" DK blinked.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything," she said with a dazzling smile.
DK leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.
"Loudie!" she gasped, and he kissed her again.
She turned her face away, giggling.
"Why don't you call my name?" he whispered.
She didn't reply, just laughed softly. DK pulled her close, and together, they admired the quiet moonlight—the perfect end to a long-awaited beginning.